docblackrock

OMG that Autavia.... ...gorgeous my friend, utterly gorgeous... I've seen its twin recently - minty perfect condition like yours, different bezel, but sadly even that example way too overpriced/rich for my blood. But will be next on my vintage Heuer hitlist I'm sure.

You're not wrong my amphibian friend, thought the same too. Could have been a nice deep blue, metallic even. But no.

0. Rotor - that's asian movements for you. 1. Bracelet is nicer than any rep Rolex bracelet out there - couple of sharp edges on the fliplock clasp but otherwise nice. Even gen Rolex bracelets are nothing to write home about, always had a cheap and flimsy feel - this one is at least better. 2. No not normal - bezel should 'soft-click' into 24 distinct positions. 3. You really don't know how to read the time? Big hand and little hand? Ok then it depends - I have the CHS so just set the GMT hand to my local TZ (GMT as it happens though not this time of year) and adjust the hour hand according to local time when I travel. For IHS, you can either rotate the bezel to read local or home time or do so using the adj GMT hand. Really up to you and how far you're prepared to risk messing up your movt.

Riiight back to clocks then Personally, I think wall clocks are overrated and unnecessary, ticking or not. Now barometers, now we're talking baby, check out the teak inlay, the brushed SS mount, the metallic blue dial...

Something old, something gen, something gold perhaps? My own DIY press comprises of the plastic inner roll of a Sellotape reel, a small relatively thin block of wood and a large-head hammer Let's also not forget the infamous HOCKEY PUCK!!!!

No teaser prototype pics? I discussed this with Angus way back last year when I came *this* close to buying the Blacksteel gen. About 8-9 months is about the norm for production development now it seems. Can't wait for this one, either model. Even if I have my Grail watch (1st factory Chrono Avenger franken).

Let me rephrase that. I don't mean some dealers purposely don't do the things they say, but there's no guarantee against such fine tolerances. It's like my old boss (surgeon) who used to check the suture handiwork of whoever closed up a patient. Naturally it would make you aggressive/defensive, but he explained it wasn't about trust he was just checking anyway - for peace of mind as any slight error could potentially cause infection and thus require reopening. Better to be safe than sorry as they say.

One of the only Carreras I like. Like the Jack W limited edition. Pure retro. Gorgeous.

Well I posted on that crystal alignment issue last night. Whilst I have sympathy, I think you've been a little naiive trusting in dealer claims of water resistance - only as good as the weakest link, and I think you were a bit gung ho submerging it in water, without performing a vacuum/negative pressure WR test first. Entire reason for doing that is to identify problems with seals without exposing the watch to any damage. Too late for that now in your case.

Well so much for the oft-touted wisdom that the CHS movements are hand grenades compared to the reliable WHS. So far all I've heard is these WHS GMT-adj movements are the ones with issues.

Well using a combination of plastic blades and toothpicks, I've been able to remove the insert in situ, and yes there was a thick layer/clumps of double-sided tape underneath. Interestingly, removed it all and the insert snap-fits in nicely and securely. Seats better now. How secure I don't know but out of paranoia, I'll probably remove and use some adhesive just in case. Oh but with the insert off, there's still the lob-sided crystal seating in gasket clearly visible - wonder why this is?

Freddy, definitely not within spec. Can see bevel edge of crystal on crown side, cannot on opposite side as the insert looks raised. When I first caught the slanted profile view, I though must be a crystal seating issue, but then I noticed I could see the edge of the insert on the 7-11 o'clock side, yet the bezel itself is flush to the case alll the way round. See?

Welcome to the asylum! Another member of the Norsk mafia eh? Admin will be so pleased

Have noticed a slight glitch on my CHS 116710 - only took me 3 weeks to spot it - namely the ceramic bezel isn't sitting flush into the bezel on one side - must be a glue buildup thing. So I need to pop off the bezel, insert and rectify. Concern of course being not to damage the ceramic-metal insert - normally would pop the bezel off without a thought but I recall posts saying some of the newer modern Rolex reps (of which I'm not really into) such as the Noob have bezels which just don't come off and are a PIA to remove/replace. So any suggestions/advice/sharing of schematic info here on this particular bezel? Thanks in advance.

Nos. 1 and 3 = No, the movement will never be repped not even close, so I doubt they'll even look ta making a half-decent rep of this. No.2 = gen is so cheap anyway, again the answer is no. If you like these models, you should have no problem negotiating a decent discount on the gen for the price of a 2 or 3 reps - this would serve you better IMO.

Ha ha you vulture DT, ruthlessly circling ready to pick at the carcass of this guys' "boring" PAM collection. Nice try though. Personally, if you're bored of Panerai, I don't think IWC (Cousteau 06 aside) is going to slate your thirst, not in the long-term anyway

Thanks BT, just thought I'd ask/check first before queue-jumping

Or free,

Dizzy makes a good point, before you start messing round with adhesives, I'd try swapping out with bracelet screws from other links first, start with your spares (the bracelet would fit a 10" wrist!).

Definitely worth buying gen at this price differential. The buckle on mine has the 'wings' as a relief not a stamp/etch - so much nicer. I like the deployant on the new ProRacer (gen is very expensive) but that awful 'swiss cheese' strap? No no no.....

If that's the screw just behind the fliplock clasp, then if it's any consolation I've had a similar problem with my 116710. Worked loose a couple of times and prevented clasp opening. But it threads in not stripped like yours. Loctite works well, age-old-remedy to thread-lock screws, just be sure to use the correct type - blue/removable.

Why, you romantic old devil you Did you get down on one knee to the Revenue? Or both knees, you know pleading, begging....

@Tazz, you have PM BT, PM me if you want this and naturally I'll gladly step aside out of courtesy

That's because there's no rep that doesn't look a POS, nothing even half decent as the electro-mechanical movt of the gen can't really be repped, all faux subdials etc. Anyway the gen (both blue and grey) is very underwhelming on the wrist - the old smaller 41mm Aquaracer case - I originally bought one, sorry pre-ordered one back in 2006, before they pulled it due to problems with the movement, taking a further 10 months. By which time, I'd fallen for the forthcoming 43mm Aquaracer Calibre 60.